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The Girl on the Balcony
The HOTLY ANTICIPATED sequel to The Girl in Seat 2A - the number one bestseller! She's playing with fire...
Jade’s new life in Spain is quickly unravelling. Homeless, broke, and out of options, she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
But Jade isn’t just hiding from the truth of her situation. She’s hiding from her past. And maybe, from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
When journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career – a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime – she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, and Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
The heart-stopping sequel to the NUMBER ONE bestseller The Girl in Seat 2A, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell.
Jade’s new life in Spain is quickly unravelling. Homeless, broke, and out of options, she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
But Jade isn’t just hiding from the truth of her situation. She’s hiding from her past. And maybe, from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
When journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career – a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime – she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, and Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
The heart-stopping sequel to the NUMBER ONE bestseller The Girl in Seat 2A, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell.
- GenresThriller
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2025
503 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wilkinson
19 books270 followersDiana Wilkinson graduated from Durham University with a degree in geography, then after a short spell in teaching, spent most of her working life in the business of tennis development.
A former Irish international player, Diana finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.
The inspiration for much of her work has come from the ladies she coached over the years and from confidences share over coffee.
4 Riverside Close is Diana's first crime novel, published by Bloodhound Books on 30th March 2020.
You Are Mine, her second thriller, is due for release on 1st June 202.
Born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the height of the civil unrest, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her husband son.
A former Irish international player, Diana finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.
The inspiration for much of her work has come from the ladies she coached over the years and from confidences share over coffee.
4 Riverside Close is Diana's first crime novel, published by Bloodhound Books on 30th March 2020.
You Are Mine, her second thriller, is due for release on 1st June 202.
Born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the height of the civil unrest, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her husband son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 21, 2025
The Girl on the Balcony by Diana Wilkinson is a psychological thriller and the second book in the series—but I jumped in without having read the first one. I was curious to see how it stood on its own, and while the plot moved along quickly and kept me intrigued enough to keep turning pages, I have to admit, I found myself more frustrated with the characters than invested in them. The premise has all the makings of a twisty, suspenseful story, but the personalities driving it really took away from my ability to fully enjoy it.
The story centers around Jade, who is supposed to be the emotional anchor of the book, but I honestly found her very hard to like. From the beginning, she comes off as shallow, timid, and just frustratingly poor at managing her own life. Her financial choices made little sense—there were several times when I was reading and just shaking my head, thinking, Why would anyone do that? On top of that, Jade has this entitled attitude that really rubbed me the wrong way. She’s essentially squatting on someone else’s property and then seems shocked and hurt when people don’t want to work with her or help her out anymore. It’s hard to feel sorry for someone when they act like everyone else is the problem, while avoiding any accountability for their own behavior.
Hayley, the second main character, didn’t help matters much. In some thrillers, it’s fun to have a morally gray character who plays a little dirty to get ahead—but Hayley just came off as manipulative and opportunistic. She seems to use the people around her purely as stepping stones for her career, and there’s this constant undertone of selfishness in everything she does. Instead of creating the kind of tension or dual-perspective intrigue that really hooks you in, the dynamic between Jade and Hayley just left me feeling detached. I didn’t find myself rooting for either of them—and for me, that made it hard to get emotionally invested in the twists and turns of the story.
That said, the book isn’t without its strengths. The pacing was solid, and Diana Wilkinson knows how to keep a story moving. The writing is sharp, and there’s a definite moodiness to the atmosphere that worked well for the psychological thriller genre. You can tell that Wilkinson is trying to build a world where trust is a fragile thing, and no one is quite who they seem to be. There were some genuinely interesting plot developments that kept me guessing, and I can see how someone more connected to the characters might find this an engaging read.
But for me, the biggest issue was how little I connected to the people at the center of the story. Thrillers like this one work best when you either root for someone or love to hate them. Here, I just felt indifferent. Jade’s passivity and poor decisions were hard to sympathize with, and Hayley’s cold ambition made her feel more like a plot device than a person. Without a strong emotional anchor, the suspense didn’t land the way it should have.
Overall, The Girl on the Balcony had the framework of a good psychological thriller, very well written but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s possible that reading the first book in the series would have helped flesh out the characters more, or at least made me care about their backstories. As it stands, though, I found myself more annoyed with Jade and Hayley than curious about what would happen to them next. If you’re someone who can read past unlikeable characters and just enjoy a fast-paced ride, this might still be worth a look. But if you need to connect with the characters to enjoy the story, this one might leave you feeling a little cold.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of the book. All opinions are my own because we have freedom of speech.
The story centers around Jade, who is supposed to be the emotional anchor of the book, but I honestly found her very hard to like. From the beginning, she comes off as shallow, timid, and just frustratingly poor at managing her own life. Her financial choices made little sense—there were several times when I was reading and just shaking my head, thinking, Why would anyone do that? On top of that, Jade has this entitled attitude that really rubbed me the wrong way. She’s essentially squatting on someone else’s property and then seems shocked and hurt when people don’t want to work with her or help her out anymore. It’s hard to feel sorry for someone when they act like everyone else is the problem, while avoiding any accountability for their own behavior.
Hayley, the second main character, didn’t help matters much. In some thrillers, it’s fun to have a morally gray character who plays a little dirty to get ahead—but Hayley just came off as manipulative and opportunistic. She seems to use the people around her purely as stepping stones for her career, and there’s this constant undertone of selfishness in everything she does. Instead of creating the kind of tension or dual-perspective intrigue that really hooks you in, the dynamic between Jade and Hayley just left me feeling detached. I didn’t find myself rooting for either of them—and for me, that made it hard to get emotionally invested in the twists and turns of the story.
That said, the book isn’t without its strengths. The pacing was solid, and Diana Wilkinson knows how to keep a story moving. The writing is sharp, and there’s a definite moodiness to the atmosphere that worked well for the psychological thriller genre. You can tell that Wilkinson is trying to build a world where trust is a fragile thing, and no one is quite who they seem to be. There were some genuinely interesting plot developments that kept me guessing, and I can see how someone more connected to the characters might find this an engaging read.
But for me, the biggest issue was how little I connected to the people at the center of the story. Thrillers like this one work best when you either root for someone or love to hate them. Here, I just felt indifferent. Jade’s passivity and poor decisions were hard to sympathize with, and Hayley’s cold ambition made her feel more like a plot device than a person. Without a strong emotional anchor, the suspense didn’t land the way it should have.
Overall, The Girl on the Balcony had the framework of a good psychological thriller, very well written but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s possible that reading the first book in the series would have helped flesh out the characters more, or at least made me care about their backstories. As it stands, though, I found myself more annoyed with Jade and Hayley than curious about what would happen to them next. If you’re someone who can read past unlikeable characters and just enjoy a fast-paced ride, this might still be worth a look. But if you need to connect with the characters to enjoy the story, this one might leave you feeling a little cold.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of the book. All opinions are my own because we have freedom of speech.
June 22, 2025
The Girl on the Balcony, a chick lit cross thriller, follows on from “The Girl in Seat 2A” and I think to fully understand the back story, the first book should be read.
It’s a dual POV and easy read, with short and engaging chapters that kept me turning the pages.
It seems like everyone in this book has something to hide, and I wasn’t sure who to trust at all which kept me on my toes.
The only problem for me was that I didn’t really like any of the characters. I didn’t get behind either Jade or Hayley, which made it difficult for me to fully enjoy it.
4* for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced copy.
It’s a dual POV and easy read, with short and engaging chapters that kept me turning the pages.
It seems like everyone in this book has something to hide, and I wasn’t sure who to trust at all which kept me on my toes.
The only problem for me was that I didn’t really like any of the characters. I didn’t get behind either Jade or Hayley, which made it difficult for me to fully enjoy it.
4* for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced copy.
June 10, 2025
This is one of those novels that keep you reading long into the night as it's just crazy enough to be true but somehow you don't want it to be! Jade works at a luxury resort in Spain and Hayley is a journalist, And the guests?? They are even more bizarre than the women! Hidden cameras, murder...what's not to love?!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 6, 2025
Great fast paced book!!! Love a book that starts from overhearing conversations. This lead to a place I honestly didn't see coming. Great thrill of a ride!
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
July 20, 2025
I enjoyed the story, it was an easy read with nice short chapters.
I havent read book 1- girl in seat 2A so i am going to that to my list to read as it stands i dont feel like ive missed too much of the back story, could change once i read it.
Some of the repetition got a bit annoying. Hayley was an annoying character you wanted to like her but you just couldnt.
There wasnt any characters who you didnt mind being the next one to be killed they all had something about them.
I havent read book 1- girl in seat 2A so i am going to that to my list to read as it stands i dont feel like ive missed too much of the back story, could change once i read it.
Some of the repetition got a bit annoying. Hayley was an annoying character you wanted to like her but you just couldnt.
There wasnt any characters who you didnt mind being the next one to be killed they all had something about them.
July 13, 2025
I was sent this book by the publisher and did not realise it was a sequel. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the story nor any of the characters at all. I found it disjointed and it was hard to keep track of who was in each chapter as there is no differentiation between characters. I found the language at times didn’t make sense. I did like the short chapters, but there was a lot of repetition/fillers.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
July 13, 2025
3.5 stars!
I picked up this book without realizing it was a sequel to the first one I read by this author. To be honest, my memory of the first book was a bit hazy, but I did enjoy it. Unfortunately, the second installment didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
In the sequel to *The Girl in Seat 2A*, Jade is struggling in Spain as a real estate agent while hiding from her past. Journalist Hayley travels to Marbella to investigate a suspicious death linked to a dangerous widow. As the story unfolds, both women find themselves in peril, with Hayley's safety at risk in the mansion of a confessed killer.
In this story, we’re introduced to several points of view, including Hayley, Jade, and later, Crystal. With so much happening, I found myself mixing up the characters at the start, leading me to re-read a few chapters here and there. My interest began to wane as I struggled to grasp the plot. There were plenty of hints dropped throughout, but connecting the dots felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. The characters themselves were a bit challenging to warm up to, which made the reading experience less engaging for me.
On the bright side, the atmospheric descriptions were vivid and enchanting, adding a certain charm to the narrative that I truly appreciated. Who doesn't love Spain?
If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll likely find more to love in this sequel. It’s packed with short chapters, resort guest secrets, hidden cameras, and, of course, a murder mystery—what’s not to like? While this one didn’t quite resonate with me, I encourage you to give it a shot if you liked the previous installment. Who knows? It might just be the perfect read while lounging under an umbrella by the pool!
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I picked up this book without realizing it was a sequel to the first one I read by this author. To be honest, my memory of the first book was a bit hazy, but I did enjoy it. Unfortunately, the second installment didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
In the sequel to *The Girl in Seat 2A*, Jade is struggling in Spain as a real estate agent while hiding from her past. Journalist Hayley travels to Marbella to investigate a suspicious death linked to a dangerous widow. As the story unfolds, both women find themselves in peril, with Hayley's safety at risk in the mansion of a confessed killer.
In this story, we’re introduced to several points of view, including Hayley, Jade, and later, Crystal. With so much happening, I found myself mixing up the characters at the start, leading me to re-read a few chapters here and there. My interest began to wane as I struggled to grasp the plot. There were plenty of hints dropped throughout, but connecting the dots felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. The characters themselves were a bit challenging to warm up to, which made the reading experience less engaging for me.
On the bright side, the atmospheric descriptions were vivid and enchanting, adding a certain charm to the narrative that I truly appreciated. Who doesn't love Spain?
If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll likely find more to love in this sequel. It’s packed with short chapters, resort guest secrets, hidden cameras, and, of course, a murder mystery—what’s not to like? While this one didn’t quite resonate with me, I encourage you to give it a shot if you liked the previous installment. Who knows? It might just be the perfect read while lounging under an umbrella by the pool!
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 22, 2025
This is a sequel to The Girl in Seat 2A and follows Jade and Hayley. Jade is running from her past and is trying to start a new life. However, things quickly unravel and things become more desperate. Hale is journalist trying to chase a great story but soon she realises that the risk might not be worth it.
The story has lots of twists and turns and is hard to know who to trust. Jade and Hayley are morally grey characters and it was hard to get behind them at times... but Jade caring for Gato won me over!
I liked the setting and the author really brought the feel of a holiday resort to life. I thought it was well written and the main characters were well developed.
This would make a great holiday read, it had me turning the pages!
Huge thanks to the author, publisher, Netgalley and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
The story has lots of twists and turns and is hard to know who to trust. Jade and Hayley are morally grey characters and it was hard to get behind them at times... but Jade caring for Gato won me over!
I liked the setting and the author really brought the feel of a holiday resort to life. I thought it was well written and the main characters were well developed.
This would make a great holiday read, it had me turning the pages!
Huge thanks to the author, publisher, Netgalley and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
July 21, 2025
Though it is a sequel, the book is easy to follow. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, Spain, and the mystery behind it all. The characters are unreliable, which makes the reading so much more fun!!! The resort guests have secrets, and there are hidden cameras and a murder that needs to be solved.
The Girl On The Balcony is so good, you don't want it to end and the killer was quite a surprise! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
The Girl On The Balcony is so good, you don't want it to end and the killer was quite a surprise! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
August 2, 2025
I absolutely loved the look of this book from the instant I spotted the front cover and couldn't wait to dive in.
This was an intriguing concept and the story unfolds gradually as we follow a dual timeline and dual pov format.
This allows us to really get sucked into the storyline, but also see right into the characters minds and get the different perspectives on the events as the happen.
Apart from our main characters Jade and Hayley, we actually come across a fair number of other characters and it kept me on my toes trying to keep track of everyone and what parts they were playing within the story.
The writing style was exciting and fast-paced and once I'd opened this up, I had to keep reading to find out what was happening.
There were some good twists and it kept me guessing until the end.
I'm a little sad to now find out that this is actually a sequel to this author's first book. There was no indication on the cover and now I've finished and read the blurb through, there's not any clue there either.
I didn't really feel like I was missing out on anything as such, but I really would have preferred to read these in order.
Still, I'll definitely be going back to grab the first book and maybe give this a re-read and see if I spot anything extra.
Overall, a great read and I'm excited to read more in the future.
This was an intriguing concept and the story unfolds gradually as we follow a dual timeline and dual pov format.
This allows us to really get sucked into the storyline, but also see right into the characters minds and get the different perspectives on the events as the happen.
Apart from our main characters Jade and Hayley, we actually come across a fair number of other characters and it kept me on my toes trying to keep track of everyone and what parts they were playing within the story.
The writing style was exciting and fast-paced and once I'd opened this up, I had to keep reading to find out what was happening.
There were some good twists and it kept me guessing until the end.
I'm a little sad to now find out that this is actually a sequel to this author's first book. There was no indication on the cover and now I've finished and read the blurb through, there's not any clue there either.
I didn't really feel like I was missing out on anything as such, but I really would have preferred to read these in order.
Still, I'll definitely be going back to grab the first book and maybe give this a re-read and see if I spot anything extra.
Overall, a great read and I'm excited to read more in the future.
October 23, 2025
Susan Fraser Aberdeen
Omg
What a book
This is such a good book I couldn’t put it down.
Read all of this author’s books and they just get better and better.
It’s got so many twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end.
Can’t wait for the next book 👍🏻👌
Omg
What a book
This is such a good book I couldn’t put it down.
Read all of this author’s books and they just get better and better.
It’s got so many twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end.
Can’t wait for the next book 👍🏻👌
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July 21, 2025Another gripping read!
Hayley, a journalist, comes across a story which could make her career; a story of murder, a culpable widow and an invite to the scene of the crime - who could resist? She jumps on the first plane to Marbella. Jade is already in Spain but her job as a real-estate agent is not going well. Homeless, broke and struggling to keep things together as she ran away from the past - a situation in Marbella . . .
This is a multi-layered read, once which peels back slowly and enticingly revealing itself little by little. It's an excellent read and one which kept me on my toes. Very hard to put down - I always wanted to know what happened next! A thrilling read, and one I'm happy to recommend. 4.5*
Hayley, a journalist, comes across a story which could make her career; a story of murder, a culpable widow and an invite to the scene of the crime - who could resist? She jumps on the first plane to Marbella. Jade is already in Spain but her job as a real-estate agent is not going well. Homeless, broke and struggling to keep things together as she ran away from the past - a situation in Marbella . . .
This is a multi-layered read, once which peels back slowly and enticingly revealing itself little by little. It's an excellent read and one which kept me on my toes. Very hard to put down - I always wanted to know what happened next! A thrilling read, and one I'm happy to recommend. 4.5*
July 13, 2025
This didn’t excite me as I hoped it would; the two different timelines didn’t help; for the first third I was trying to work out what was going on and by the time I realised the timelines were different, I had lost interest.
Not for me on this occasion, sorry.
Not for me on this occasion, sorry.
July 21, 2025
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book and also to Netgalley and the publisher who also allowed me an advanced copy.
This is another fast paced thriller and a great follow in from the previous novel by this talented author. The story is told over short chapters with a great momentum and the characters are engaging and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
Great thriller and a rave to the end to see who dunnit- the best of endings where I had no clue!
Highly recommend this and would encourage readers to read the previous book first for better understanding and content.
This is another fast paced thriller and a great follow in from the previous novel by this talented author. The story is told over short chapters with a great momentum and the characters are engaging and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
Great thriller and a rave to the end to see who dunnit- the best of endings where I had no clue!
Highly recommend this and would encourage readers to read the previous book first for better understanding and content.
November 17, 2025
The main characters are Hayley and Jade. Hayley is an undercover journalist. Jade is a real-estate salesperson at a Spanish resort. Both are too whiny and gullible to be very likable. They feel too dependent on the men in their life.
This book is a sequel to an earlier murder mystery, and although the author does a fairly good job of weaving in the necessary background, you may feel a bit lost at times if you didn't read the first book.
The story drags towards the middle with lengthy passages involving real-estate transactions and much to do about cats. You don't have to be a cat person to enjoy this book but it might help.
Adding to the drag, some of the same material is covered more than once from different points of view. This helps to explain some things, but the time lapse becomes confusing if you do not pay close attention.
I didn't feel the level of danger and suspense that was present in the first book. If you took out the real-estate and cat segments which weren't that exciting and felt more like padding, this book would suddenly shrink to novella or short story length.
Part of the problem with the danger element is that either Jade or Hayley could have left at any time if they so desired. They were certainly not being held prisoner.
The presence of Astrid, the rich villain in book one, is felt in book two, but more involvement is needed from this important character to ramp up the danger.
Avery, a secondary villain, provides some suspenseful moments, but his actions and motivations are not easily understood, and he is not a strong enough character to do the heavy lifting that this story needs with regard to the danger element.
Perhaps sensing the danger shortfall, the author injects a couple of random thugs into the story, and they show up at random, riding around in a dark SUV and giving people menacing looks. They are neither developed enough nor scary enough.
Marcus, colleague of Jade and a budding romantic interest, comes off as a bit too goody, goody to be true. If he's seriously allergic to cats, it's doubtful he would agree to have one around in close quarters. He has a few quirky habits which make him somewhat interesting but it's like the author really didn't know what to do with him other than to have him escort the female characters around and charm them with his good looks. He's too much of a Ken doll, cardboard cutout character.
Crystal, girlfriend of Avery, is a mysterious and creepy character with her tall, thin build and strange hair-pulling habits. She was certainly not a cliche and was the most interesting character of all.
The book gathers steam when the stories of the two main characters come together and they may find that they need each other more than ever to survive.
Astrid does make an appearance toward the end, but it's too little and too late.
This book is a sequel to an earlier murder mystery, and although the author does a fairly good job of weaving in the necessary background, you may feel a bit lost at times if you didn't read the first book.
The story drags towards the middle with lengthy passages involving real-estate transactions and much to do about cats. You don't have to be a cat person to enjoy this book but it might help.
Adding to the drag, some of the same material is covered more than once from different points of view. This helps to explain some things, but the time lapse becomes confusing if you do not pay close attention.
I didn't feel the level of danger and suspense that was present in the first book. If you took out the real-estate and cat segments which weren't that exciting and felt more like padding, this book would suddenly shrink to novella or short story length.
Part of the problem with the danger element is that either Jade or Hayley could have left at any time if they so desired. They were certainly not being held prisoner.
The presence of Astrid, the rich villain in book one, is felt in book two, but more involvement is needed from this important character to ramp up the danger.
Avery, a secondary villain, provides some suspenseful moments, but his actions and motivations are not easily understood, and he is not a strong enough character to do the heavy lifting that this story needs with regard to the danger element.
Perhaps sensing the danger shortfall, the author injects a couple of random thugs into the story, and they show up at random, riding around in a dark SUV and giving people menacing looks. They are neither developed enough nor scary enough.
Marcus, colleague of Jade and a budding romantic interest, comes off as a bit too goody, goody to be true. If he's seriously allergic to cats, it's doubtful he would agree to have one around in close quarters. He has a few quirky habits which make him somewhat interesting but it's like the author really didn't know what to do with him other than to have him escort the female characters around and charm them with his good looks. He's too much of a Ken doll, cardboard cutout character.
Crystal, girlfriend of Avery, is a mysterious and creepy character with her tall, thin build and strange hair-pulling habits. She was certainly not a cliche and was the most interesting character of all.
The book gathers steam when the stories of the two main characters come together and they may find that they need each other more than ever to survive.
Astrid does make an appearance toward the end, but it's too little and too late.
July 21, 2025
The Girl on the Balcony is a thriller ride of twists and reveals!
When I read a book I tend to make spider diagrams as it helps me visually remember and understand character relationships and this came in really handy for The Girl on the Balcony - but I can't say why as that could reveal a spoiler or two! We meet Jade, a young woman struggling as a lettings/sales agent on a Spanish villa golf complex. Jade is finding things financially hard, she's rented out her apartment to an aspiring artist and is now having to sleep in her client's homes and hope they don't notice. When one of her client returns home early that causes the first spark of tension which sets off this thrill ride.
The book is a follow on from The Girl in Seat 2A, but can be read a stand-alone. I think if you have read the first book it could help you understand some of the character motivations and development better. I'd love to meet the author Diana, she has woven a complex plot of characters together for this novel and I'd love to know where the ideas for this story came from.
We follow the story from multiple points of view (POV) - Jade, a sales agent and Hayley, a keen British journalist who is in Spain after her boyfriend overhears a story on a plane between two women discussing the murder of an ex husband and her boyfriend ends up getting a job working for the potential killer... as you do! Jade is a huge cat enthusiast and has taken in a stray called Gato, I was at one point convinced Gato would be some kind of mafia lynchpin or assassin as he was menti0ned so often, alas!
The plot is intriguing, at times a little unrealistic but I enjoyed the characterisation, the setting and description were evocative of Spain. I also struggled at times with the timeline action, when a past event was happening and it wasn't obvious I found myself shouting at the book "what are you doing"!
If you enjoy books where you can suspend your belief, that are packed with tension and reveals than this would make a great summer read for you.
When I read a book I tend to make spider diagrams as it helps me visually remember and understand character relationships and this came in really handy for The Girl on the Balcony - but I can't say why as that could reveal a spoiler or two! We meet Jade, a young woman struggling as a lettings/sales agent on a Spanish villa golf complex. Jade is finding things financially hard, she's rented out her apartment to an aspiring artist and is now having to sleep in her client's homes and hope they don't notice. When one of her client returns home early that causes the first spark of tension which sets off this thrill ride.
The book is a follow on from The Girl in Seat 2A, but can be read a stand-alone. I think if you have read the first book it could help you understand some of the character motivations and development better. I'd love to meet the author Diana, she has woven a complex plot of characters together for this novel and I'd love to know where the ideas for this story came from.
We follow the story from multiple points of view (POV) - Jade, a sales agent and Hayley, a keen British journalist who is in Spain after her boyfriend overhears a story on a plane between two women discussing the murder of an ex husband and her boyfriend ends up getting a job working for the potential killer... as you do! Jade is a huge cat enthusiast and has taken in a stray called Gato, I was at one point convinced Gato would be some kind of mafia lynchpin or assassin as he was menti0ned so often, alas!
The plot is intriguing, at times a little unrealistic but I enjoyed the characterisation, the setting and description were evocative of Spain. I also struggled at times with the timeline action, when a past event was happening and it wasn't obvious I found myself shouting at the book "what are you doing"!
If you enjoy books where you can suspend your belief, that are packed with tension and reveals than this would make a great summer read for you.
June 18, 2025
Title: The Girl on the Balcony
Author: Diana Wilkinson
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pub Date: July 21, 2025
My Rating:3.5 stars
Pages: 359
Yay! I read and enjoyed "The Girl in Seat 2A" Delighted the sequel is being released.
In this story Jade Wilshire the girl in Seat 2A is still in Spain now working at the Marbella.
Jade had to rent out her apartment, leaving her with nowhere to live. She crashes in a client’s villa as he’s isn’t due back for several months. But then returns early. Oops
Hayley is a journalist waiting for that big story. Her boyfriend Teddy tells her about a conversation he overheard on the plane. He is across from the woman and when they depart he offers to help with her bags. She seems to be very impressed with him (Surely his good looks) and offers to hires him as her personal assistant/. She seems to a rich member of a royal family in Europe. Teddy tells Hayley he overheard her confess to murdering her husband.
If so, this just might be the story she needs –so takes the first plane to Marbella.
( I did look up Marbella- as it was key in the first book ` Yes! it is a resort town – in Southern Spain on the coast of Costa del Sol known also known as the millionaire’s playground.)
This is my fourth Diana Wilkinson I totally love The Girl in Seat 2A!! In fact a 5 star read for me
So I went into this with high expectations!
It was a quick read – okay a few slow spots at times still kept me guessing.
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 21, 2025.
Author: Diana Wilkinson
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pub Date: July 21, 2025
My Rating:3.5 stars
Pages: 359
Yay! I read and enjoyed "The Girl in Seat 2A" Delighted the sequel is being released.
In this story Jade Wilshire the girl in Seat 2A is still in Spain now working at the Marbella.
Jade had to rent out her apartment, leaving her with nowhere to live. She crashes in a client’s villa as he’s isn’t due back for several months. But then returns early. Oops
Hayley is a journalist waiting for that big story. Her boyfriend Teddy tells her about a conversation he overheard on the plane. He is across from the woman and when they depart he offers to help with her bags. She seems to be very impressed with him (Surely his good looks) and offers to hires him as her personal assistant/. She seems to a rich member of a royal family in Europe. Teddy tells Hayley he overheard her confess to murdering her husband.
If so, this just might be the story she needs –so takes the first plane to Marbella.
( I did look up Marbella- as it was key in the first book ` Yes! it is a resort town – in Southern Spain on the coast of Costa del Sol known also known as the millionaire’s playground.)
This is my fourth Diana Wilkinson I totally love The Girl in Seat 2A!! In fact a 5 star read for me
So I went into this with high expectations!
It was a quick read – okay a few slow spots at times still kept me guessing.
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 21, 2025.
June 9, 2025
My first book by this author and I was curious.
What I had overlooked is that this is a sequel to another book, and that’s obviously my own fault. Had I noticed that, I wouldn’t have picked it up without first reading the previous story. At first, it didn’t really stand out to me, but as I read on, I started to question things. I thought the explanation would come later, but no — I should’ve already known it.
Can the book be read as a standalone? Yes, in a way, but you definitely miss out on some things.
I’m a big fan of Spain, and the fact that the story is set there was a plus for me.
Sometimes you’re sitting somewhere and you (perhaps unconsciously) listen to people’s conversations around you. Often they’re about everyday things, but in this case, it’s different. And when that reaches the ears of a reporter, it’s only natural that her interest is sparked and she wants to get to the bottom of it. But of course, in this case, that comes with risks.
What I also really liked were the short chapters — they constantly pushed me to keep reading. It was an intriguing story and it definitely made me think, but personally, I prefer thrillers with a bit more punch.
What I found a little confusing was the timeline; at times, I felt something was being told in the present, and a little later it would delve into what, in my opinion, had happened earlier. I also didn’t always understand the structure of the story. That made it feel a bit confusing at times.
It’s an ideal book to read by the poolside and it did include a surprising twist, but it just wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. 3 stars..
Thank you
What I had overlooked is that this is a sequel to another book, and that’s obviously my own fault. Had I noticed that, I wouldn’t have picked it up without first reading the previous story. At first, it didn’t really stand out to me, but as I read on, I started to question things. I thought the explanation would come later, but no — I should’ve already known it.
Can the book be read as a standalone? Yes, in a way, but you definitely miss out on some things.
I’m a big fan of Spain, and the fact that the story is set there was a plus for me.
Sometimes you’re sitting somewhere and you (perhaps unconsciously) listen to people’s conversations around you. Often they’re about everyday things, but in this case, it’s different. And when that reaches the ears of a reporter, it’s only natural that her interest is sparked and she wants to get to the bottom of it. But of course, in this case, that comes with risks.
What I also really liked were the short chapters — they constantly pushed me to keep reading. It was an intriguing story and it definitely made me think, but personally, I prefer thrillers with a bit more punch.
What I found a little confusing was the timeline; at times, I felt something was being told in the present, and a little later it would delve into what, in my opinion, had happened earlier. I also didn’t always understand the structure of the story. That made it feel a bit confusing at times.
It’s an ideal book to read by the poolside and it did include a surprising twist, but it just wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. 3 stars..
Thank you
June 9, 2025
I enjoyed this story more than expected, even after realizing that it was a sequel to a different book, The Girl in Seat 2A, that I haven’t read. You don’t really need to have read the first one, but you would understand more of the references.
Jade is living and working at a luxury resort in Spain, barely getting by due to low occupancy and high fees associated with the living space. She keeps referencing some event in the past that she’s trying to get away from, and there do seem to be people following her. She had to rent out her apartment, leaving her with nowhere to live. She crashes in a client’s villa as he’s not expected back for several months. And then he returns early. Yeah, that doesn’t go over well.
Elsewhere, Hayley is a journalist waiting for that big story, who hears a crazy story from her boyfriend, Teddy, who’s been away traveling. He’s hired by a fellow passenger on the flight home to be her personal assistant/houseboy/escort. Oh, she also happens to be a filthy-rich member of a royal family in Europe. And Teddy swears she confessed to murdering her husband. It doesn’t stop him from accepting the position and passing on any and every detail that he can to Hayley. But when the communication slows, she wonders if he’s gotten into something that he won’t get out of alive.
It's definitely a story you can’t take too seriously, what I would call a breezy beach read. But I couldn’t put it down! There’s a good twist that I knew had to be coming, and it kept the action flowing. It’s a fun book, and I’ll probably go back and read The Girl in Seat 2A, because I like this author’s writing and would like to see how this crazy story all began!
Jade is living and working at a luxury resort in Spain, barely getting by due to low occupancy and high fees associated with the living space. She keeps referencing some event in the past that she’s trying to get away from, and there do seem to be people following her. She had to rent out her apartment, leaving her with nowhere to live. She crashes in a client’s villa as he’s not expected back for several months. And then he returns early. Yeah, that doesn’t go over well.
Elsewhere, Hayley is a journalist waiting for that big story, who hears a crazy story from her boyfriend, Teddy, who’s been away traveling. He’s hired by a fellow passenger on the flight home to be her personal assistant/houseboy/escort. Oh, she also happens to be a filthy-rich member of a royal family in Europe. And Teddy swears she confessed to murdering her husband. It doesn’t stop him from accepting the position and passing on any and every detail that he can to Hayley. But when the communication slows, she wonders if he’s gotten into something that he won’t get out of alive.
It's definitely a story you can’t take too seriously, what I would call a breezy beach read. But I couldn’t put it down! There’s a good twist that I knew had to be coming, and it kept the action flowing. It’s a fun book, and I’ll probably go back and read The Girl in Seat 2A, because I like this author’s writing and would like to see how this crazy story all began!
June 11, 2025
★★★.5
Hayley is ready to dump her boyfriend Teddy. They’ve been together for seven years, but it seems he hasn’t moved on from college life and is definitely giving off some Peter Pan vibes. Teddy just returned from another carefree solo trip, and as Hayley is getting ready to start the dreaded conversation, Teddy surprises her with a wild tale — a murder confession and a too-good-to-be-true job offer working for none other than the murderess herself. Hayley isn’t keen on Teddy returning to Spain so soon, but she needs him once her journalistic instincts kick in, and she already pictures herself receiving a Pulitzer as the investigative journalist who brought the story to light…
This was my second book by Diana Wilkinson, and I noticed I have a hard time cheering for her protagonists. While there are moments they are very likable and even relatable, there are just as many when they are utterly unlikable, and their choices don’t make sense to me.
I liked that the story was set in Spain and offered some fun facts about the geography and culture. The setting was well done, especially the description of the resort and how creepy it was at nightfall, which was quite vivid. I found some parts of the story a little too predictable, though I have to say the final reveal, the epilogue, was indeed a surprise!
I would classify The Girl on the Balcony as a fast-paced popcorn thriller and recommend it as a beach or pool read (ideally in a nicer resort than Campo de Golf).
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Diana Wilkinson for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Hayley is ready to dump her boyfriend Teddy. They’ve been together for seven years, but it seems he hasn’t moved on from college life and is definitely giving off some Peter Pan vibes. Teddy just returned from another carefree solo trip, and as Hayley is getting ready to start the dreaded conversation, Teddy surprises her with a wild tale — a murder confession and a too-good-to-be-true job offer working for none other than the murderess herself. Hayley isn’t keen on Teddy returning to Spain so soon, but she needs him once her journalistic instincts kick in, and she already pictures herself receiving a Pulitzer as the investigative journalist who brought the story to light…
This was my second book by Diana Wilkinson, and I noticed I have a hard time cheering for her protagonists. While there are moments they are very likable and even relatable, there are just as many when they are utterly unlikable, and their choices don’t make sense to me.
I liked that the story was set in Spain and offered some fun facts about the geography and culture. The setting was well done, especially the description of the resort and how creepy it was at nightfall, which was quite vivid. I found some parts of the story a little too predictable, though I have to say the final reveal, the epilogue, was indeed a surprise!
I would classify The Girl on the Balcony as a fast-paced popcorn thriller and recommend it as a beach or pool read (ideally in a nicer resort than Campo de Golf).
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Diana Wilkinson for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2026
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
The Girl On The Balcony by Diana Wilkinson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BLURB
A fresh start
A dangerous obsession
And a past that won’t stay buried
Jade’s new life in Spain is unravelling. Broke, scared and haunted by the past, she is forced to rent out her apartment.
Her tenant is living the life she always dreamed of. Not a care in the world, lounging on the balcony, watching the world go by.
But who is Gabby Rackham? An aspiring artist, her appearance definitely makes you take a second glance. But she is also a woman who asks too many questions.
The more Jade watches her, the less sense it makes. Gabby doesn’t work, doesn’t seem to have any friends. So why is Marcus – Jade’s handsome yet ruthless work rival – so drawn to her?
As jealousy builds and the past edges closer, Jade’s obsession deepens. But Gabby isn’t just a mystery. She might be the key to everything Jade is trying to escape.
SOMEONE KNOWS WHAT JADE DID IN MARBELLA
AND THEY’RE AFTER HER
REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book, thanks to its quick pacing and short, snappy chapters, and I could really envisage sunny Spain being conjured up in the author's descriptions.
The story is told via two points of view and actually follows on from an earlier book - The Girl in Seat 2A. However, I hadn't read that book (I will fix that soon), and managed to follow what was going on just fine.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The Girl On The Balcony by Diana Wilkinson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BLURB
A fresh start
A dangerous obsession
And a past that won’t stay buried
Jade’s new life in Spain is unravelling. Broke, scared and haunted by the past, she is forced to rent out her apartment.
Her tenant is living the life she always dreamed of. Not a care in the world, lounging on the balcony, watching the world go by.
But who is Gabby Rackham? An aspiring artist, her appearance definitely makes you take a second glance. But she is also a woman who asks too many questions.
The more Jade watches her, the less sense it makes. Gabby doesn’t work, doesn’t seem to have any friends. So why is Marcus – Jade’s handsome yet ruthless work rival – so drawn to her?
As jealousy builds and the past edges closer, Jade’s obsession deepens. But Gabby isn’t just a mystery. She might be the key to everything Jade is trying to escape.
SOMEONE KNOWS WHAT JADE DID IN MARBELLA
AND THEY’RE AFTER HER
REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book, thanks to its quick pacing and short, snappy chapters, and I could really envisage sunny Spain being conjured up in the author's descriptions.
The story is told via two points of view and actually follows on from an earlier book - The Girl in Seat 2A. However, I hadn't read that book (I will fix that soon), and managed to follow what was going on just fine.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 23, 2025
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series and whilst it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book, The Girl in Seat 2A, prior to this one.
In this book we meet Jade, who is a struggling real estate agent in Spain, where she’s attempting to hide from her past. Journalist Hayley travels to Marbella to investigate a suspicious death linked to a dangerous widow. As the story unfolds, both women find themselves in peril, with Hayley's safety at risk in the mansion of a confessed killer.
I loved the way the story was constructed with dual timeline/point of view combined with short sharp chapters, made it a really easy read. Aside from the two main characters, there are quite a few others and I loved that I didn’t know who I could trust so it kept me on my toes. There were plenty of hints dropped throughout, but connecting the dots felt like trying to solve a puzzle. I did find some of the characters challenging to warm up to, but it didn’t detract from the overall story.
On the whole I found this a really immersive read, the way the author had written the atmospheric descriptions really allowed me to feel like I was there.
And as it’s packed with short sharp chapters, secrets, hidden cameras, and, of course, a murder mystery—what’s not to like? This would make the perfect summer read whilst sipping on a cocktail at the pool.
This is the second book in the series and whilst it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book, The Girl in Seat 2A, prior to this one.
In this book we meet Jade, who is a struggling real estate agent in Spain, where she’s attempting to hide from her past. Journalist Hayley travels to Marbella to investigate a suspicious death linked to a dangerous widow. As the story unfolds, both women find themselves in peril, with Hayley's safety at risk in the mansion of a confessed killer.
I loved the way the story was constructed with dual timeline/point of view combined with short sharp chapters, made it a really easy read. Aside from the two main characters, there are quite a few others and I loved that I didn’t know who I could trust so it kept me on my toes. There were plenty of hints dropped throughout, but connecting the dots felt like trying to solve a puzzle. I did find some of the characters challenging to warm up to, but it didn’t detract from the overall story.
On the whole I found this a really immersive read, the way the author had written the atmospheric descriptions really allowed me to feel like I was there.
And as it’s packed with short sharp chapters, secrets, hidden cameras, and, of course, a murder mystery—what’s not to like? This would make the perfect summer read whilst sipping on a cocktail at the pool.
August 9, 2025
The Girl on the Balcony by Diana Wilkinson is the sequel to The Girl in Seat 2A which was great as I wanted to know what happened to Jade. It was a perfect sequel and answered so many questions I had. I ended up turning the pages to find out what happens next. WoW . . .. . . . . This was another excellent book. . . . I ❤️ loved it. Superb read.
Jade’ now has a new life in Spain but it has quickly unravelled! Her dream has gone!
She is now homeless, broke, and out of every option, and she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
Jade wont give up, she is a fighter, but, something is holding her back! she hiding from the truth of her situation from everyone, especially as she’s hiding from her past. It's a big secret that is bubbly to the surface and from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
Journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career, and she can not say No to it. The story is of a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime. So, she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
WoW, this was full of twists and turns throughout and will have hooked fromthe beginning till the very end.
I highly recommend this book. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read.
Jade’ now has a new life in Spain but it has quickly unravelled! Her dream has gone!
She is now homeless, broke, and out of every option, and she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
Jade wont give up, she is a fighter, but, something is holding her back! she hiding from the truth of her situation from everyone, especially as she’s hiding from her past. It's a big secret that is bubbly to the surface and from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
Journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career, and she can not say No to it. The story is of a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime. So, she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
WoW, this was full of twists and turns throughout and will have hooked fromthe beginning till the very end.
I highly recommend this book. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read.
October 27, 2025
📚The Girl on the Balcony
✍🏻Diana Wilkinson
Blurb
Jade’s new life in Spain is quickly unravelling. Homeless, broke, and out of options, she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
But Jade isn’t just hiding from the truth of her situation. She’s hiding from her past. And maybe, from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
When journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career – a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime – she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, and Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
My Thoughts:
Perfect for fan of Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell's will enjoy this book. Told in dual POV and easy read, with short and engaging chapters that kept me turning the pages. It seems like everyone in this book has something to hide, and I wasn’t sure who to trust at all which kept me on my toes.
Great fast paced book that will keep you wanting more.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the Author Diana Wilkinson for the complimentary ARC, I am leaving my review in appreciation
#NetGalley
#BoldwoodBooks
#DianaWilkinson
#TheGirlontheBalcony
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Diana Wilkinson
Blurb
Jade’s new life in Spain is quickly unravelling. Homeless, broke, and out of options, she’s struggling to make it as a real estate agent.
But Jade isn’t just hiding from the truth of her situation. She’s hiding from her past. And maybe, from a particular person. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid.
When journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career – a suspicious death, a murderous widow and a personal invite to the scene of the crime – she jumps on the first plane to Marbella.
Soon paradise feels like a prison, and Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of a self-confessed killer. Jade may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
My Thoughts:
Perfect for fan of Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell's will enjoy this book. Told in dual POV and easy read, with short and engaging chapters that kept me turning the pages. It seems like everyone in this book has something to hide, and I wasn’t sure who to trust at all which kept me on my toes.
Great fast paced book that will keep you wanting more.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the Author Diana Wilkinson for the complimentary ARC, I am leaving my review in appreciation
#NetGalley
#BoldwoodBooks
#DianaWilkinson
#TheGirlontheBalcony
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 8, 2025
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Girl on the Balcony” is a sequel by Diana Wilkinson. I had just finished reading the first book - The Girl in Seat A2 - and I strongly recommend reading that book before this one as it helps with some of the missing backstory. This book continues to follow Jade, who is now in real estate in Spain. However, she’s not having an easy time … as seems to be rather typical of her situation. I don’t know if I missed something but for the longest time I was confused about the timeline (it was almost as if part was present day and the other part was a few months in the past). Overall, I found the short chapters once again good for pacing as this book is, in general, a rather quick read (once the characters are established, along with their motives). I didn’t find this book as tightly written as the first book in the series, so overall it was an okay read. However, I think that if you’ve liked Ms. Wilkinson’s other books and/or really liked the first book in this series, do give this follow-up a try.
“The Girl on the Balcony” is a sequel by Diana Wilkinson. I had just finished reading the first book - The Girl in Seat A2 - and I strongly recommend reading that book before this one as it helps with some of the missing backstory. This book continues to follow Jade, who is now in real estate in Spain. However, she’s not having an easy time … as seems to be rather typical of her situation. I don’t know if I missed something but for the longest time I was confused about the timeline (it was almost as if part was present day and the other part was a few months in the past). Overall, I found the short chapters once again good for pacing as this book is, in general, a rather quick read (once the characters are established, along with their motives). I didn’t find this book as tightly written as the first book in the series, so overall it was an okay read. However, I think that if you’ve liked Ms. Wilkinson’s other books and/or really liked the first book in this series, do give this follow-up a try.
June 17, 2025
This was a pretty good read- I didn't realize it was a sequel and I am pretty sure I even read the other book, but it works as a standalone. It centers on 2 protagonists, Jade and Hayley, alternating chapters between them. Jade is trying to make ends meet as an estate agent after fleeing a bad situation, and Hayley is trying to get a scoop on a story that would make her career as a journalist.
Neither one of these characters is likable but I am generally OK with that as long as I know what I am getting. While I understood early how their stories would converge, the author did get a little tricky in just how that happened, resulting in a decent twist. I thought many of the decisions these folks made were ill-advised, but that did add to the overall tension of the story. The twist at the end was a good one- while it seemed obvious once I knew what happened, I hadn't anticipated it.
Overall, fun read that put a little bit of a different spin on the "random person getting to the bottom of a suspicious death" trope. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Neither one of these characters is likable but I am generally OK with that as long as I know what I am getting. While I understood early how their stories would converge, the author did get a little tricky in just how that happened, resulting in a decent twist. I thought many of the decisions these folks made were ill-advised, but that did add to the overall tension of the story. The twist at the end was a good one- while it seemed obvious once I knew what happened, I hadn't anticipated it.
Overall, fun read that put a little bit of a different spin on the "random person getting to the bottom of a suspicious death" trope. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2025
This is the sequel to 'The Girl in Seat 2A', a book I have read but (given the amount of fiction I read), I can't remember much detail about (though I do remember that I enjoyed it very much.!) As such I went into this book reading it not quite as a standalone, but I can confirm that it would be very readable and enjoyable for anyone was has not read the previous book (as well as those who have read it!).
The story is largely told by 2 women, Jade and Hayley. Hayley is a journalist who has a boyfriend who hears of a murder confession when on a flight. He tells Hayley, who hops on a plane in hot pursuit of a good story! Jade is embroiled in this story and also tells her own story, struggling financially, living in Spain and feeling that the mysterious Avery (a resident of the Spanish resort Jade manages). As the story plays out we learn what is connecting these women, and how the (murderous!) situation resolves.
A good plot with really interesting characters and some great plot reveals! Overall a very decent novel I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
The story is largely told by 2 women, Jade and Hayley. Hayley is a journalist who has a boyfriend who hears of a murder confession when on a flight. He tells Hayley, who hops on a plane in hot pursuit of a good story! Jade is embroiled in this story and also tells her own story, struggling financially, living in Spain and feeling that the mysterious Avery (a resident of the Spanish resort Jade manages). As the story plays out we learn what is connecting these women, and how the (murderous!) situation resolves.
A good plot with really interesting characters and some great plot reveals! Overall a very decent novel I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
July 17, 2025
Y’all! This book doesn’t knock—it kicks the door open, glass of wine in hand, and whispers, “You’re not ready.”
Set in sun-soaked Marbella, The Girl on the Balcony serves up a twisty cocktail of secrets, scandal, and suspense. We’ve got Jade—homeless, broke, and dodging a very shady past. Then there’s Hayley, a journalist sniffing out a career-making story about a mysterious death and a maybe-murderous widow. Spoiler: booking a trip to Murder Mansion probably wasn’t her best idea.
Diana Wilkinson builds tension like sunscreen you forgot to rub in—thick, visible, and impossible to ignore. The pacing is sharp, the setting is both dreamy and dangerous, and the characters? Deliciously flawed. These women make messy choices, and I was here for every gasp-worthy moment.
Why not five stars? A few plot turns asked me to stretch my belief a little too far, and I craved more depth from Jade. But overall? This is a sun-drenched, twisty ride with danger lurking just behind the curtain.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #TheGirlOnTheBalcony #NetGalley
Set in sun-soaked Marbella, The Girl on the Balcony serves up a twisty cocktail of secrets, scandal, and suspense. We’ve got Jade—homeless, broke, and dodging a very shady past. Then there’s Hayley, a journalist sniffing out a career-making story about a mysterious death and a maybe-murderous widow. Spoiler: booking a trip to Murder Mansion probably wasn’t her best idea.
Diana Wilkinson builds tension like sunscreen you forgot to rub in—thick, visible, and impossible to ignore. The pacing is sharp, the setting is both dreamy and dangerous, and the characters? Deliciously flawed. These women make messy choices, and I was here for every gasp-worthy moment.
Why not five stars? A few plot turns asked me to stretch my belief a little too far, and I craved more depth from Jade. But overall? This is a sun-drenched, twisty ride with danger lurking just behind the curtain.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #TheGirlOnTheBalcony #NetGalley
July 17, 2025
Jade's new life in Spain is quickly unravelling. Homeless, broke, and out of options, she's struggling to make it as a real estate agent. But Jade isn't just hiding the truth of her situation. She's hiding from her past. Someone who knows exactly what she did that fateful day at Casa De Astrid. When journalist Hayley stumbles across a story that could make or break her career - a suspicious death, a murderess widow, and a personal invite to the scene of the crime - she jumps on the first plane to Marbella. Soon paradise feels like a prison, and Hayley may have made the worst mistake of her life coming to the mansion of the self-confessed killer. Jack may have managed to escape, but will Hayley?
This is the sequel to The Girl In Seat 2A. The story is told from Jade and Hayley's perspectives and it has been descriptively written. The characters are well-developed. The dual story line between Jade and Hayley is tense, fast-paced, gripping, has secrets and twists, and there's an anxious feel throughout the story.
Published 21st July 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #DianaWilkinsin in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sequel to The Girl In Seat 2A. The story is told from Jade and Hayley's perspectives and it has been descriptively written. The characters are well-developed. The dual story line between Jade and Hayley is tense, fast-paced, gripping, has secrets and twists, and there's an anxious feel throughout the story.
Published 21st July 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #DianaWilkinsin in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2025
The Girl On The Balcony is the gripping sequel to The Girl in Seat 2A by Diana Wilkinson.
Jade’s new life in Spain is falling apart, she’s broke, desperate, and hiding secrets from her past. Meanwhile, journalist Hayley is chasing a career-defining story…..A suspicious death and an invite to the home of a confessed killer. But paradise quickly turns into a nightmare. Will she make it out alive?
This was such a fast-paced and gripping read, I was hooked right from the first chapter.
The story moves quickly, with short, sharp chapters that made it impossible to stop reading.
The dual storyline between Jade and Hayley kept the tension high, with twists, secrets, and a growing sense of unease that had me second-guessing everything.
I loved the Marbella setting too, the sunshine and glamour added a great contrast to the darker, more dangerous undercurrents.
If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, secrets from the past, and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to Diana Wilkinson, NetGalley and Boldwood for an early copy.
Jade’s new life in Spain is falling apart, she’s broke, desperate, and hiding secrets from her past. Meanwhile, journalist Hayley is chasing a career-defining story…..A suspicious death and an invite to the home of a confessed killer. But paradise quickly turns into a nightmare. Will she make it out alive?
This was such a fast-paced and gripping read, I was hooked right from the first chapter.
The story moves quickly, with short, sharp chapters that made it impossible to stop reading.
The dual storyline between Jade and Hayley kept the tension high, with twists, secrets, and a growing sense of unease that had me second-guessing everything.
I loved the Marbella setting too, the sunshine and glamour added a great contrast to the darker, more dangerous undercurrents.
If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, secrets from the past, and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to Diana Wilkinson, NetGalley and Boldwood for an early copy.
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